Go-to guy’ leaves police force after 23 years

Michele Dargan

Thursday

May 31, 2018 at 12:01 AMMay 31, 2018 at 1:08 PM

When Detective Joe Recarey began his career in Palm Beach, he had no experience as a police officer.

Twenty-three years later, he leaves the department as one of the most experienced sworn officers — an 11-time Officer of the Month, with 80 commendations. He also was named Kiwanis Officer of the Year in 2002 and Kiwanis Officer of the Quarter in 2008. His last day is Friday.

"I’ve been here longer than my children have been alive," he said. "I’m going to miss a majority of the people I’ve worked with, and, obviously, I’m going to miss the work. This is my extended family. Like many families, you have disagreements with some family members. But you overlook that, and you work together and you’re a team. I’m going to look back and miss a lot of the people I’ve worked with."

Recarey, 46, is leaving for a job in the private sector but declined to give details. "I was offered an excellent opportunity," he said. "I see myself growing with this company, and I’m looking forward to the challenge."

Recarey worked road patrol for three years before being transferred to the detective bureau. He has investigated general crimes, as well as worked in the Organized Crime Vice and Narcotics Unit. He also worked on Palm Beach County’s Public Integrity Unit and on the Sexual Predator Unit — both are multi-agency task forces run by the State Attorney’s Office.

High-profile cases

Among his high-profile cases: the bribery case against the town’s former construction manager, Steven White; and the solicitation-of-minors case against billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

"Every case is important, from the minor shoplifting cases to the homicides," Recarey said. "What I love about this department is they take every case and work it as if it’s a serious case. We don’t have street crime like other municipalities, so we have the luxury of following up on cases that would probably not be followed up on in other municipalities, because they’re going call to call to call."

Even though the White and Epstein cases received a great deal of media attention, Recarey has worked on many more complicated and serious cases over the years, said Director of Public Safety Kirk Blouin.

"He’s a great loss to the department — no question about it," Blouin said. "He’s one of the most hardworking officers in the department. He’s the go-to guy for complex investigations, a utility man who can always be counted on. He’s going to be hard to replace. … He’s got an exceptional attitude, he’s extremely capable, and he’s fun to work with."

Recarey has won multiple awards, including the Palm Beach County Bar Association’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for 2001; the Sons of the American Revolution Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award in 2004 and 2011; The Palm Beach Post Distinguished Law Officer of the Year Award in 2004, in the crime-solution category; Outstanding Law Enforcement Officer 2009 – U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of Florida; Florida Retail Federation Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, 2010; the Palm Beach Civic Association’s 2011 Raymond J. Kunkel Foundation Award; and Palm Beach Police Foundation Officer of the Year in 2012.

Recarey has many fond memories of his years with the department. He met his wife, Jennifer, when they both worked there. Recarey has four children: Isis, 20; and Joseph, 19, from a previous marriage; and Jack, 3; and Peter, 6 months, with Jennifer.

'He always makes us laugh'

Police Records Manager Laura Oregero has had a close friendship with Recarey for more than 20 years. Both say they’ve enjoyed playing pranks on each other.

"He’s going to be very much missed, because he always makes us laugh," Oregero said. "He makes it fun to come to work. He comes across as a New York tough guy, but when it comes to his family, he’s the best father I’ve ever seen."

Blouin said he was intending to promote Recarey when the new job opportunity arose.

"He’s aware that was my intention," Blouin said. "He would have been an outstanding supervisor. I tried to talk him out of it, but he was presented this incredible opportunity. It’s a great opportunity for him and for his family."

Recarey describes his exit as bittersweet. "I do enjoy the challenge of taking a case and bringing it to a successful conclusion. It’s good to start a new challenge, but I will miss the friends I’ve made here along the way."